Congressman Mike Simpson voted against H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization bill last night. Simpson did not support the bill because a manager’s amendment removed large portions of the legislation.
There were 86 substantive provisions in the bill that passed the committee. Regrettably, 26 sections, or 30% of the bill, were significantly revised, and 16 sections, nearly 20% of the bill were dropped entirely for final passage. The provisions dropped include language that enhanced the Department’s ability to identify and prosecute those who smuggle illegal aliens into our country by boat and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
“The fact is the majority changed the bill to eliminate substantive border security measures and other tools necessary to stop criminals from entering our country,” Simpson said. “In the end, it dramatically reduced our ability to secure our nation instead of enhancing homeland security. Without these measures, I can not support this bill.”
Other provisions that were eliminated from the bill after it passed the committee are:
A provision to make it a felony offense for any person aboard a vessel under U.S. jurisdiction to smuggle a person from one country to another knowing that such person is an illegal alien. Currently, maritime alien smugglers face few consequences unless aliens face death or serious injury. Removing this provision from the bill allows smugglers operate with near impunity for bringing in illegal aliens into the United States. On average, between 6,000-10,000 migrants are interdicted at sea each year.
A provision included in the base bill to require owners of high risk critical infrastructure to check employees against immigration databases in addition to the terrorist watchlist.
A provision requiring foreign students studying in the U.S. to attend classes, receive passing grades, and not go unobserved for more than 60 days. The 9-11 hijackers entered the United States on student visas which allowed them to obtain drives licenses, attend flight school, but never spent one day in the classes for which they acquired their visas.
A provision to establish a pilot program to evaluate mobile biometric identification capabilities in the maritime environment. Immigration violators, criminals, and possible terrorists intercepted at sea remain undetected and are simply repatriated without consequence because we lack the capability to verify identify of apprehended migrants. Having a mobile biometric solution would enhance national maritime security by screening interdicted aliens and smugglers against all available watch lists and to confirm identity using biometrics.
The Department of Homeland Security Authorization bill has typically enjoyed bipartisanship support. In 2005, H.R. 1817 was reported by committee by voice vote and passed the House by 424-4; in 2006, H.R. 5814 was reported by committee by voice vote, but time ran out in the 2nd session for House action; today’s bill, H.R. 1684, was reported by committee on March 28, 2007, by 26-0, reflecting a strong bipartisan bill.
“It is unfortunate the democratic leadership found it necessary to break-up this bipartisan bill. We need to work together, especially when it comes to Homeland Security,” said Simpson.
